Coal Issues

I have interests in Wyoming. Way back in 1958 my Grandfather had a geologist check out the land for Uranium. No uranium that the geologist found but he said there was coal on the land. Well....I think coal is pretty much all over Wyoming and the issue is whether there is enough to interest a coal producer. If there is only a thin vein or amount- it would not be worth the set up costs, etc.

If I just contact a coal company my worry is they might find a thick, rich amount and keep their mouths shut and offer me a lease that is a bad deal for me. What I need is someone who can look at the land and give me an idea of how much coal. The only issue is if accomplishing such a task would require a lot of core drillings, etc. that would be a cost beyond my means.

So- I don't know what to do. Should I be contacting a coal producing company? A Landman? Some one else? I don't know how to proceed or who to contact. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

David,

Coal occurs in almost all the sedimentary basins in Wyoming. It is usually uneconomic unless you have a very large acreage position and it is prospective for large open pit or for coal bed methane. (Carbon County contains both and was named for its coal occurrences) Since your grandfather's day, we have figured out how to extract uranium from deposits with the use of wells rather than open pit and underground mining.

In either case, many deposits have been identified. As with all minerals, location and size is most important. If you would like to request a personal contact with me, I can usually tell if you are in a good area or tilting at windmills.